Pietersen packs a punch

The cries had been getting hoarse from fans as well as former English cricketers to opt for 25-year-old Kevin Pietersen against the touring Australians, ahead of the ageing Graham Thorpe.

In less than six months Pietersen has become a phenomenon in English cricket. Brash and bold, the 25-year-old is yet not quite English. He hails from South Africa, dyes his hair weird and glares back at Glenn McGrath.